The suspect, who is at large, is believed to be a white man, approximately 6 feet tall and 180 pounds, according to Clearlake Police Lt. Tim Celli.

Clearlake Police officers responded to Ray's Food Place about 7:30 a.m. after receiving a report of an armed robbery, Celli stated. Upon arrival, they learned from a store employee that a man wearing camouflage clothes, ball cap and black face-mask walked in carrying a rifle.

The masked man fired a single round into the ceiling of the Dam Road store after ordering an employee to hand over money, the lieutenant stated.

The employee gave money to the suspect, who began to leave but was met by another Ray's worker who tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the rifle away, Celli stated.

The gun-wielding man continued to leave and fired two more shots at store windows, shattering them, the lieutenant stated.

Providing for his family may have been the motive. "An employee reported the suspect may have said something similar to 'sorry I need to feed my family' or 'put food on the table' or something similar to that," Celli stated. The suspect left the store on foot southbound through the parking lot and into an adjacent field, Celli stated. Police dogs tracked the person's trail to a turnout east of Dam Road, where investigators believe he got into a vehicle and left the area.

No further description of the vehicle is available at this time, Celli stated. He did not reveal how much money was taken, saying it was "being withheld for investigatory reasons."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Clearlake Police Department at 994-8251. Callers can remain anonymous.